Scottsdale Green Home Buyer's Guide: Exterior

The Right Exterior

According to the Scottsdale Green Building Program, what's on the outside and tucked on the inside plays an important role in your home's energy efficiency. Here's what to look for:

A Cool Shell

• Light-colored surfaces for walls and roofing reduce heat gain. Look for Energy Star or Cool Roof-labeled roofing

Optimal Insulation

• Attic insulation is at least R-30 and is evenly distributed.
• Radiant barrier is used in attic to protect against radian heat build-up (most effective in vented attics).
• Wall insulation is a type that fills every hole, crack and void (min. R-13 for 2 x 4 framed walls and R-19 for 2 x 6 framed walls).

High Performance Windows

• Windows are double-pane with low-e coating or solar screen (except on the south side where warmth from the low inter sun is desired).
• Minimu use of skylights to reduce heat gain (consider light tubes instead).

Durability

• The roof has a minimum 35-year life warranty (shingle, tile or metal).
• High durability/low maintenance roofing materials such as concrete, clay, metal, slate, fiber-cement.
• Reusable/recyclable roofin materials such as metal or concrete tile.